posted
Have had CDC positive lyme (IGG) for 25+ years. Had a weastern blot taken in Oct 09 and was IGM CDC positive. Doctor told me I had a new tick bite, IGM, (in October in Buffalo?) and sent me to a Infectious Disease Specialist (aka Duck) who told me everyone has those bands and I do not have lyme disease. Was in and out of his office in 5 minutes (But was charged a hefty 1st appt. consultation fee.)Didn't even get the standard CDC two weeks of antibiotics. Has anyone had that happen to them? I was shocked to see IGM positive. I do not believe I was rebitten but maybe I was. I,ve been to places the devil won't go since Oct. Jesus neither. Been in lyme hell. Have had all 100 symptoms of lyme all on the same day for days and days without end. Before that I was finally adjusting to being a chronic lyme patient,living sick every day but now I'm back on the the lyme bandwagon. Just had to get this off my chest, thanks for listening. If anyone knows why a chronic lyme patient would test newly positive, please reply because I really do not think I was rebitten. Was basically bedridden before all of this and didn't go out much.
Posts: 16 | From Buffalo, New York | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
I had an ID doc tell me he did not think my CDC positive daughter had had lyme. She was biten by a tick followed by muscle aches and fever and BELL's PALSY and recovered with antibiotics. (oh and if she did have lyme she was probably immune from getting it again, that was in response to my questions about recurrent tick bites and diagnosing lyme)
I have come to believe that some ID docs would not know lyme if it hit them on the head.
Ticks are tricky, you can get bit and not know it.
I would get a second opinion.
Posts: 207 | From NH | Registered: Jul 2009
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"With most infections, your immune system first forms IgM antibodies, then in about 2 to 4 weeks, you see IgG antibodies. In some infections, IgG antibodies may be detectable for years.
Because Borrelia burgdorferi is a chronic persistent infection that may last for decades, you would think patients with chronic symptoms would have positive IgG Western blots.
But actually, more IgM blots are positive in chronic borreliosis than IgG. Every time Borrelia burgdorferi reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies.
Some patients have both IgG and IgM blots positive. But if either the IgG or IgM blot is positive, overall it is a positive result."
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